Scott Wheway appointed chief of Best Buy Europe

Best Buy Europe – the European joint venture between Carphone Warehouse and US electricals giant Best Buy – has appointed former Tesco and Boots executive Scott Wheway as chief executive.

Wheway joined Best Buy International as chief operating officer in May, but will relinquish that role.

Wheway, who was formerly a senior executive at Tesco and managing director of Boots the Chemist and hailed as a rising star in retail, will report to the Best Buy Europe board. He will be responsible for Best Buy Europe’s operations, including Carphone Warehouse’s 2,400 European stores, its online and direct businesses and its big box Best Buy stores, set to open in the UK in spring next year.

Chairman of the board of Best Buy Europe and chief executive of Best Buy International Bob Willett said: “Scott is the consummate retailer. He’s never forgotten his roots as a line-level store employee, and he remains passionate about meeting customer needs. His energy and background are a brilliant fit for this exciting challenge as we move forward with our strategy in Europe.”

Last week, Carphone Warehouse revealed that Best Buy Europe had signed two leases for its first stores in the UK, understood to be in Hedge End in Southampton and Thurrock.